Basic Tools to Stain Your Own Concrete

Staining your concrete can be a great way to improve the look of your patio, concrete flooring, or any other concrete surface. Handling the job on your own can also be a rewarding and a good way to save money. If you are going to tackle a DIY concrete stain project, however, you will need to make sure you have the right tools in order to do the job properly and ensure the best results. لعبة سباق خيول حقيقية

Protective Equipment and Gear

First, it is important to make sure you have the right protective equipment. Such equipment includes safety glasses, rubber gloves, and a respirator to prevent inhaling airborne mist. العاب تربح مال The area in which you are working should also be properly ventilated, which might mean you need to have fans operating in the area. لعبة بلاك جاك اون لاين

Concrete Stain Application Tools

Beyond protective equipment, you will also need to have the right application tools. Among the tools you will need is a sprayer, which is typically the best way to apply stain to concrete in an even manner. Other tools you will need include a variety of different brushes for performing detail work. You will also need sponges for working on small areas and performing detail work. Pails or buckets are also necessary when applying concrete stain. It should be noted that if you leave the bucket or pail directly on the floor, it could result in a ring from drips running down the side of the bucket. The best way to avoid this problem is to keep the bucket or pail inside a larger bucket or on a piece of cardboard. Finally, you will need cleaning supplies and a few other items, such as tape for marking off areas and rags for wiping up spills. With the right tools and equipment, you can create your own work of art with concrete stain.

New Line of Concrete Repellents

Have you ever experienced that heart-sinking feeling that comes when your iPhone crashes to the ground? Anything can happen to an iPhone without a protective case, and yet the case covers the beauty of the sleek design. It’s not necessary to risk beauty for longevity with decorative concrete. You can avoid the day — after having an icy winter spreading de-icing salts generously — that you notice the flaking and spalling on the surface of your once stunning walkway.

 The Culprits: Water that soaks into pool decks, concrete driveways, patios and sidewalks can damage it in several ways. The water can cause delamination of the top layer, pitting and efflorescence. The sprinkler system used to keep shrubs, flowers and plants lush and green is the culprit of the water damage in the picture below. Salt from salt-water pools, and de-icing salts on road and walkways can reak havoc on concrete as well. With unsealed concrete, water melted by the salt can be absorbed into it. The salt ions seep into the concrete causing the steel reinforcing in the concrete to rust and deteriorate. Ultimately, the salt is destructive.

The Solutions: Concrete water repellents will all penetrate and chemically bond deep within the substrate to provide long lasting protection against deterioration or staining due to water conditions. Moon Decorative is thrilled to add these product solutions as options to keep your decorative concrete looking beautiful for years.

• SS Repel Block WB-75: 7.5% active water-based siloxane/silane water repellent with zero VOC’s
• SS Repel Guard SB-40: 40% active solvent-based silane water repellent with low VOC’s
• SS Repel Guard SB-20: 20% active solvent-based silane water repellent with low VOC’s
• SS Cure & Repel: a dual functioning chemical reactive curing compound and water repellent with a low viscosity for better penetration on concrete substrates.

These repellents have the added benefit that the concrete will maintain its natural look. There is no concrete color change, gloss or wet sheen to them. This is because the silane/siloxane is not on the surface of the concrete. It is actually below the surface and inside concrete substrate.

Prevention products that can protect against concrete cracking and spalling

For homes and businesses, one of the most widely used materials is concrete, especially for flooring. Concrete is an excellent material for both exterior and interior flooring needs. In addition, concrete is cost-efficient, strong, durable, and can be beautifully stamped or polished with a wide range of colors and patterns. We just don’t like to see concrete cracking or spalling. However, concrete is also subject to different types of deterioration, including corrosion of embedded metals, the freeze and thaw process, chemicals, and overload and impact, among other things. how many ml of ivermectin for 5 lb. dog Two common challenges of concrete flooring are cracks and spalling. To prevent damage, it is imperative to choose the right concrete floor supplier, one with superior products and unrivaled expertise. Preventing Cracks and Spalling Although random cracks and spalls occur, the risk is less by using the right mix design, placement, and finishing. The Stamp Store offers superior products and provides contractors with information, data, and even training on all products sold. Moon Decorative has a new line of repellents designed specifically to prevent cracks and spalling in porous flooring materials.

•  Repel Block WB 75 – This 7.5 percent active water-based siloxane-silane product works as a water repellent and impregnating agent. By penetrating and chemically bonding deep with concrete flooring, it protects against deterioration and staining.
• Repel Guard SB 20 – This solvent-silane repellent has a 20 percent active solvent base and repels and impregnates porous masonry surfaces. recommended dosage for ivermectin for human parasites While SS Repel Guard SB 20 does not produce a film or compromise the natural breathing characteristics of treated substrates, it does offer outstanding protection against concrete cracking, spalling, and other common issues.
• Repel Guard SB 40 – The only difference between this repellant and SB 20 is the level of active solvent base. In addition to protecting your concrete floor from cracks and spalls, this product is highly resistant to fungus, mold, mildew, freeze/thaw cycles, and deicing salt. tractor suppky ivermectin

Our Most Popular Decorative Concrete Countertop Products for DIY Projects

Often, people interested in decorative concrete countertops, floors, walkways, driveways, patios, and other surfaces hire a professional contractor to do the work. While there is certainly nothing wrong with this decision, thanks to companies like Moon Decorative, you can actually create your own unique surface by using the right decorative concrete products and taking full advantage of the information and training offered. Creating Gorgeous Concrete Countertops on your own! Moon Decorative has an incredible DIY countertop system known as enCOUNTER. In addition to being versatile, this system works great for precast and cast-in-place countertops because it will not crack and its early strength is unrivaled. This decorative concrete product can be made in sections up to 60 feet long without unsightly joints, seams, or cracks. Using enCOUNTER products, a variety of gorgeous colors and stains can be added, giving your countertops individual personality and character. Moon Decorative also sells top-of-the-line sealers that prevent water staining and resist mold, mildew, and fungus while reducing the risk of deterioration.

• enCOUNTER Mix Gray – Compared to other materials used to make countertops, this product outperforms. Some of the key benefits include endless color options; a structured material that can withstand long, unsupported spans; and it takes virtually any shape, can be polished sooner, and has a low water demand that minimizes cracking and curling.
• EZTop White Kit – This is another excellent product offered by Moon Decorative for a decorative cement countertop DIY project. This kit is a unique blend of Portland cement, Liquid SS Concentrated Polymer, and high-quality graded aggregates that create a concrete surface on existing and properly prepared substrates, including laminate.
• EZ Coating Kit – For optimal protection of your cured EZ Top surface, this coating kit is ideal. The kit is available in both matte and gloss finishes. It is used to make your new countertop more stain, chemical, and abrasion resistant while enhancing esthetics.

  Benefits of Training Materials Along with superior products for DIY decorative concrete surfaces, Moon Decorative has a wide range of training books and DVDs. By using the company’s products in conjunction with easy-to-follow training materials, your decorative concrete surface will look as if it was installed by a trained professional. Examples of the books and DVDs offered include:

• Bob Harris Guide to Stained Concrete (book)
• Bob Harris Guide to Overlay and Toppings (book)
• Bob Harris Guide to Stamped Concrete (book)
• Casting Concrete Countertops-Bannister (book)
• Stenciled Concrete-Cast In-Place and Deck Coat (DVD)
• Bob Harris Guide to Stained Concrete 2 (DVD)
• enCOUNTER (video/DVD)
• Fossilcrete Vertical System (DVD)

Understanding The Different Types of Concrete Stain Products

Concrete staining is a great way to bring life to concrete or change up the look of an older and perhaps even dated or damaged floor. At Moon Decorative, we carry a variety of decorative concrete products, including acid stain, water based stain and acrylic stain to help you with all of your DIY decorative concrete projects as well as to assist contractors with their projects. When shopping for concrete stain, you will find there are actually a few different types of stain products. If you have not worked with stain for concrete in the past, you might not be familiar with these types and be unsure which product is right for the look you want to achieve.

Reactive Acid Stains

Reactive Acid Stains, such as Sedona Acid Stain, are designed to react with a concrete surface in a chemical manner. The result is a translucent, variegated color tone that somewhat resembles marble. True acid-based concrete stains feature metallic salts that will react with the lime content in the concrete. Once that chemical reaction has occurred, the stain will form a permanent bond and will not peel or chip.  Acid stains require a residue cleanup and mopping after the stain has completely reacted.  This wash down process removes the etched concrete and residue which impedes sealer adhesion and is a necessary step.

Nonreactive Water Based  Stains

A different approach to concrete stain is a water borne epoxy-acrylic stain, such as the SS Rainbow Stain System. This type of concrete stain is nonreactive because it is not based on the use of a chemical reaction in order to impart color to the concrete. Nonreactive stains are more similar to paint or wood stain in that the pigment particles they contain are deposited directly into the pores of the concrete. This provides a much broader array of color options than with traditional acid stains. In addition, you may also find nonreactive stains easier to apply. The final result tends to be more opaque in nature than with the use of a reactive stain but can still provide a translucent effect if not applied too heavily.    

5 Mistakes To Avoid When Stamping Concrete

To enhance the appearance of a patio, driveway, sidewalk, pool deck, or even an area inside the home, stamped concrete is ideal. With stamped concrete, the concrete is textured, patterned, or embossed to strongly resemble natural stone, slate, brick, flagstone, wood, or tile, among other things. Compared to other materials, concrete is extremely cost-effective. Having the ability to transform its appearance into something else for a fraction of the cost is a huge benefit. كووورة انجليزية Although you can hire a professional to do the work, for small areas this is also a great DIY project. On Moon Decorative website, we offer a wealth of information on the process, including “how to” videos. Regardless of who does the work, these are the top 5 certain mistakes must be avoided. العاب النت 2024

1. Incorrect Mixture – The right proportion of concrete and water mixture has to be used. The easiest method of achieving the right mixture is to to do a slump test prior to pouring.
2. Wrong Pattern or Texture – Becoming overzealous when taking on stamped concrete project is easy. However, instead of gravitating to the most complex design possible, you should start with a basic pattern, such as a square tile, and, preferably, a smaller area. As your skills improve, you can then expand to larger areas and more intricate patterns and textures. أونو Moon Decorative can even create a custom pattern for you.
3. Poor Color Choice – The goal in choosing color for concrete stamping is to create an illusion that makes the concrete appear to be something else. Colors have to be realistic and as close to the real material as possible. For instance, to create a walkway that looks like natural brick, use Brick Red BRICKFORM Color Hardener.
4. No Sealing – For stamped concrete to last, it must be properly sealed. This not only preserves the color but texture as well. It will help stains from setting in while enhancing the overall appearance of the concrete.
5. No Assistance – Even as a do-it-yourself project, you will need help. The number of people will depend on the size of the area and the complexity of the pattern.

Should You Use A Concrete Countertop Product Kit or a ‘from Scratch’ Mix?

A concrete countertop makes for a practical solution, because it can be strong, tough, long lasting, and unique. If you are looking to install a cement countertop, there are two products to consider. Engineered Concrete Countertop Product Kit? A cement countertop product kit is a DIY bundled package for those who want an all-in-one system. It appears to be a simple project, but don’t be misled. This can be a difficult project if you are working with the wrong products even for a professional contractor, so it will demand a lot of patience. Fortunately, at Moon Decorative, we provide detailed instructions and online demos on using concrete countertop products. A kit is assumed to have everything, but this does not always happen. The best option when buying a kit is to get it from a reputable vendor that can customize it for you. At Moon decorative, we have online experts who can assist you assemble all the products you will need to execute your plan, including tips and skills training. We also have the versatile enCOUNTER concrete countertop product professionals use to create designer-looking countertops. Concrete Countertop ‘from Scratch’ Mix? Taking a standard bag of concrete off the shelf at your local hardware store and forming it into a countertop for functional use could render the counter useless.  Standard concrete does not meet the specifications required to provide tensile strength and compressive strength as you would expect in a thin piece of concrete acting as a countertop.  Off the shelf concrete is designed usually for 4 inch thick sidewalks and the like not for 1.5 – 2 inch countertops with cantilevered edges.  Going in on your own will require you to learn about the admixtures, water/cement ratios and the like.  It can get very confusing.  We highly recommend a pre-mixed countertop product like enCOUNTER. In our opinion and those who have spent a lost weekend attempting to create a beautiful concrete countertop with a standard bag of cement believe the value of the right product and proven system is tough to beat.

A DIY Guide to Using Industrial Sprayers for Stained Concrete Floors

If your home has concrete floors but needs an updated look and feel, one of the best ways to achieve a transformation is with concrete staining. Instead of guesswork or trying to use hard-to-follow instructions, Moon Decorative provides a wealth of valuable information. ألعاب تربح جوائز حقيقية We sell an array of water-based and acid-based staining products and offer tips and videos that will take you through every step of the staining process. oonoo For more assistance, the “Bob Harris Guide to Stained Concrete” book and the two DVD product “Bob Harris Guide to Stained Concrete” are great. These products include information on using industrial sprayers to make the staining process easier while producing high-quality results. Using Sprayers for Stained Concrete Compared to rollers, industrial sprayers are easier and quicker to use while providing much more natural looking results. The following are few basic rules for achieving optimal results:

• Because different factors will affect the final color, test the stain in an inconspicuous area of the concrete floor. This step is essential for more subdued acid-based stains from Moon Decorative, like Cola, but even more so for brightly colored water-based stains, such as Cha-Cha
• 

  Final seal coat on Stained Concrete

  When staining concrete, wait a minimum of 14 days after the concrete is installed. During the curing process, concrete retains moisture. 777casino By waiting, the finished color will be more exact. You can always purchase the Vapor Transmission Test kit from Moon Decorative that determines the moisture level of the concrete and its acceptability of stain
• Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions since preparation of the concrete, as well as application and even cleanup, will vary according to the staining method
• When using industrial sprayers, unsightly start-and-stop lines can be avoided by maintaining a wet edge. This is accomplished by creating small sections of flooring with joints that are already in the concrete
• Use conical tips with industrial sprayers to produce a cone pattern that eliminates distinct spray patterns and results in a better outcome
• Keep the sprayer’s tip at least 12 inches above the concrete floor. If the tip is too close, you will end up with dark blotches and runs
• Regardless of the method or product used, you want to avoid over-application. Otherwise, stain will build up in low spots, especially when using dark stains
• Following application of the acid-based stain, the floor’s surface needs to be neutralized. This consists of thorough cleaning to remove stain residue that can have a negative effect on sealer bond

Saltwater Pools Require Specific Saltwater Pool Deck Sealer For Longevity

While saltwater pools are gaining in popularity because of their gentleness on our eyes and skin, they are really hard on concrete! And the concrete around the pool, water features, and pool ladders are taking a beating. Not all sealers can be used around pools, and they certainly are not created equally, you may want to look into Saltwater pool deck sealer. SS Specialties does however have a sealer, Deco Guard and Deco Guard Plus that is a Siloxane Modified Methyl Methacrylate and is our recommend sealer for saltwater pools or conditions where there is lots of salt used due to the weather. It is not an end all solution of never having to reseal. Sealer are always considered a sacrificial coatings that last 1-3 years and is designed to be reapplied.

Maintenance is key

You put water in the pool, and water splashes out. It’s the nature of how it works around a pool. Once the water splashes out and lands on the pool deck, the water evaporates and the mineral content in the water ends up on the deck surface as a white haze. When the water evaporates, those minerals are going to be left on the surface; there is no way to avoid this. Deposits are created. Not everyone thinks that it’s the salt deposits doing the damage. If you don’t have a good adhesion bond between the sealer and concrete, water will eventually get underneath that sealer and will cause the sealer to delaminate. And the bottom line, when water sits on sealers long enough, it will get through. However, one way to help prevent deposits is to simply hose off the deck after each use. Another hint is to put tennis balls on the bottom of your furniture as to prevent scratching your sealer.

 

What makes Deco Guard the choice Saltwater pool deck sealer?

SS Deco Guard and Deco Guard Plus are both considered a “cure & seal” and can be applied on green concrete once all surface water has dissipated. This typically slows the concrete curing process and allows the concrete to become stronger and more durable. Cure & seal’s also enhance color, and Deco Guard Plus has a high sheen that will pop color even more. Deco Guard is a sealer that is more water resistant than your typical acrylic sealer. The improved adhesion properties of Deco Guard makes it ideal for salty areas, or any pool. Don’t trust your pool deck’s surface to anything but Deco Guard or Deco Guard Plus.

Troubleshooting concrete floor problems and how to fix them with Polyaspartic

When you are experiencing issues with your concrete flooring, specialty concrete products can frequently provide a solution. There are multiple potential issues that can affect concrete floors, ranging from premature wear and abrasion to cracking or surface spalling.  Specialty products, such as polyaspartic polyurea coatings, may be able to help resolve some of these issues and prevent them from reoccurring. Advantages of polyaspartic polyurea floor coatings The polyurea floor coatings that are classified as professional specialty concrete products are able to resist abrasion to a higher degree than many other coating products on the market. This in turn dramatically reduces the wear and tear that occurs on a daily basis and can lead to degradation or damage of the floors surface. The coatings also cure rapidly, allowing you to have minimal downtime in your office, warehouse, retail space or other area during application. These polymer concrete coatings are advanced in nature, protecting the surface via a tough barrier. does ivermectin kill adult heartworms This in turn extends the life of the material, saving you money over time. does taking ivermectin kill scabies right away Additionally, these floor paints coat the surface with a waterproof and seamless membrane that is able to resist the vast majority of chemicals that may affect a floor. This lets it stand up to repeated power washing or sanitizing. You can also create slip resistant or non-skid surfaces with these products. Preventing Future Problems Not only do polyaspartic specialty concrete coatings resolve your floor problems, they also can help prevent future ones from forming. Concrete expands and contracts based on the temperature.  As concrete shifts, expands and contracts cracks may begin to appear.  Polyaspartics are somewhat flexible, with some degree of elastomeric properties. bot ivermectin resistance This means that the coating can expand and/or contract along with the temperature changes without any noticeable damage. This is a stark contrast to some other thin-film coatings that can become rigid or brittle and then crack or fail, allowing moisture penetration and a open the door to other issues associated with water absorption. Common Uses for Polyaspartics Because of their ability to solve problems, polyaspartic concrete coating products are not only useful for sealing floors; they can also be used as crack sealants, or joint filling. In terms of flooring, these materials are common for warehouses, parking garages, food processing plants, petrochemical facilities, and even wastewater treatment plants. No matter how the products are used, they will be flexible and durable as well as able to resist heavy foot and vehicular traffic. When purchasing polyaspartic coatings you can choose from 3 types of the SS Polyaspartic brand.

1. 70% Solids
2. 80% Solids
3. 100% Solids

Although the ‘solids content’ directly relates to the amount of ‘plastics’ in the mix, each material has it’s place in different applications.  Talk to Moon Decorative technical department for help in choosing your perfect mix.